Looking for a good 88 key controller

[Crash&BurnProd]

Hey Slutz!

I was wondering what you swear by when it comes to 88keys controller.

I have an M-Audio Keystation 88, it's great for a lot of things (all the nobs and faders, price) but when it comes to being a sequencing tool.... it sucks! It's impossible to play soft with it, it hits the top value very quickly. It's impossible to get a decent piano performance out of it.

I need to get a new one. Any recommendations?

thanks

[theblue1]

You know, for the money (mine was just over $500), I like my CME UF8 pretty well... then again, there ain't much else down there, period.

And, from the last thread on this subject I participated in, I determined that I was in a quite small minority liking the UF8.

If I'd had more money to spend at the time, I would have tried out the $1000+ controllers, as well. But -- for the money -- I've been happy. (But the action is DEFINITELY not for everyone.)

[thrinithan]

I have a keystation 88es and I must say it works like a charm. really nice weight in the keys too =)

[Poplab Studios]

second the CME UF 8

[jdjustice]

here's that previous thread that theblue1 was referring to...

http://gearslutz.com/board/showthread.php?t=78049


J.D.

[Young Chris 101]

yep... i third the cme uf 8.

or even the new cme vx 8..

http://www.cme-pro.com/products-list/product-vx.html

[amino]

I tried the UF8, but I didn't like it at all. I liked my Fatar SL-880 a lot more. Sold it last year and bought a Roland Fantom X8 instead which I like even more, but it's kind of expensive if you're just looking for a 88 key controller.

[djk]

I went through this a few months ago. After looking at controllers for a while, I went with a digital piano (Yammy P-70). I have enough knobs and sliders, so that wasn't a factor for me. I was just looking for some decent action and the Yammy seemed to have a great reputation in that department.

I have been happy overall. Pretty good for not being a real piano. I also like the ability to just hit the "power" button and play using the internal speakers from time to time. It's a nice way to practice/focus on writing withouth worrying about gear, software, etc.

Here is a GS thread that helped me decide. 88-key controller advice

Good luck.

[Tommy-boy]

I'm also a fan of buying a keyboard with some on-board sounds to aid in the creative process.

I prefer a weighted keyboard, but with a somewhat light touch. The weighting is important for feel, but the light touch enables me to play lightening fast licks that would not necessarily be possible (for me) on a heavily weighted keyboard (or piano for that matter).

I use a Kurzweil PC88mx, which I think is fantastic. Decent stock sounds, weighted (light), good midi control (a few wheels and sliders).

I recommend playing around with several at music shops until you find one that:
1 - feels right
2 - has the control capabilities that you need.

-Tommy

[theblue1]

Originally Posted by jdjustice

here's that previous thread that theblue1 was referring to...

http://gearslutz.com/board/showthread.php?t=78049


J.D.

Thanks JD!


As I always try to say -- you should REALLY do anything you have to do to try the action -- and playing dynamics -- of any piano-style controller you're considering.

They're A) all over the map and B) subject to personal preference, big time.

[vixapphire]

a great older controller is the kurzweil midiboard, clean examples of which may be found on ebay in the $300 range. superb 88 key fully weighted piano-like action, with the interesting feature of per-note aftertouch (as opposed to keyboard-wide aftertouch). nice, extremely heavy controllers, those kurzweils...

[quincyg]

i've had a fatar semi weighted for 5 years or so. i really like it and it is good enough that pianists dont mind it. no knobs though. i use a seperate oxygen 8 for knobs.

[rokuez]

get a used yamaha kx88 because they aren't manufactured anymore and then take it to a repair shop and get the felt inside replaced.

[StrangeCat]

yea been down this road to I played everything and anything I could then went played grand piano then back to the midid controllers(mmm what a joke!)
seriously the only thing that felt like a piano to me was Yamaha S80
Everything else was horrible! But its personal prefrence too.
I would go with one of the Yamaha P90 or P60's.
Good luck with it it's hard to decide. It just comes down to Yamaha making the most realistic feeling Keys and Piano Behavior of any keyboard seriously!

[StrangeCat]

stupid typo I ment S08

[kittonian]

M-Audio Keystation Pro 88 - the thing has everything and works like a charm